Catalytic lighter



Aug. 22, 1939. A. F. REILLY CATALYTIC LIGHTER Filed Feb. '7, 1934 2SheetsSheet l INVENTOR fllfred if filed u /TTORNEYS g- 1939. A. F.REILLY 2,170,435

CATALYTIC LIGHTER Filed Feb 7, 1954 2 Sheets-Shet 2 ORNEYS (am-ed 17126111 controlling a catalytic lighter.

Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

The invention relates to lighters. and, with regard to its more specificfeatures, to lighters including a catalytic agent.

One object of the invention is to provide a :pocket lighter which may bevery quickly and easily operated. Another object of the invention is toprovide a lighter which can be successfully used in a strong wind.Another object of the invention is to provide a catalytic agent lighteroperated by manual pressure. Another object of the invention is toprovide a catalytic lighter operated by depressing or moving a fingerpiece. Another object of the invention is to provide extremely simpleand compact mechanism for Another object of the invention is to providea catalytic lighter which shall retain a supply of fuel for a longperiod of time. Another object of the invention is to provide anefficient catalytic lighter. Other objects will be in part obvious andin part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure l is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lighter constructedaccording to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the finger piecedepressed, the snuifer raised, and a cigarette in position to be lit;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the lighter showing the parts in the positioncorresponding to- Figure 1.

Figure catalytic ing the member;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modification ofthe invention involving the use of a heat insulating dish or containerfor the catalytic agent;

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a modified form oflighter;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the finger piecedepressed, the snuifer raised, and a cigarette in position to be lit;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the lighters 6 and I, the closure arm beingbroken off and the capbeing removed in order to more clearly show theother parts;

a is an enlarged sectional view of the agent and supporting structureincludvapor ports and cigarette receiving Figure 9 is a fragmentary sideelevation illustrating a further modification of the invention.

Similar reference characters ref-er to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, I provide a casing IE1 constituting afuel receptacle and which may be made in any usual or preferred manner.Desirably the casing comprises a pair of struck shells soldered togetheralong the line of the section of Figures 1 and 2, said struck shellsbeing suitably joined, as by soldering, to a top piece I I and a bottompiece I 2, thus providing an enclosed space for the fuel and some of theparts of the lighter as will appear.

Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fuel receptacle Ill may befilled with cotton or other absorbent material, not shown. I provide anorifice I3 in the bottom plate I2, this orifice having screw threadsformed in it. A screw plug I4 normally closes the orifice I3, said screwplug having threads fitting those in the orifice I3 and. having a headI5 which fits in a recess I6 in the bottom, plate I2; I provide a washerI! in order to tightly seal the fuel receptacle. Liquid fuel may beintroduced through the orifice I3, such liquid fuel being desirably ahighly volatile hydrocarbon, such as methyl alcohol or the like, butother types of fuel may be used including a solid or a semi-solid fuelcapable of giving off vapor.

Extending between the top II and the bottom I2 is a tube I8. This tubeI8 is suitably secured to the bottom plate I2, as by soldering, andextends entirely through the top II having a part I9 projecting abovethe top of the top piece II. I form screw threads on the outside of thepart I9 and thereby join to it a cylindrical member 20 which hascomplementary screw threads on the inside. This member 28 has an annularpart 2| extending inwardly and constituting a lip to form a stop for asecond tube 22 which is otherwise freely slidable inside of the tube I8.The tube 22 fits as tightly with the tube I8 as is consistent with theaforesaid free slidability; the tube 22 has a plurality of orifices 23near its bottom end and a plurality of orifices 24 near its top end.Spaced the same distance apart lengthwise of the tube as are therespective orifices 23 and 24 are corresponding orifices- 25 and 26 inthe tube I8. When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1 theorifices 23 and 25 on the one hand, and the orifices 24 and 26 on theother hand do not register, and accordingly the two tubes I8 and 22, so:far as transmission of vapor is concerned, constitute in effect a closedtube. But

when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 2, the orifices 23and 25 are in register, and also the orifices 24 and 26 are in register.The spacing of the orifices 23 and the orifices 25 around the peripheryof their respective tubes and the size thereof is such that when theyare in register axially they cannot be entirely out of registerperipherally, and the same spacing is adopted for the orifices 24 and26, relative angular positions of the tubes l8 and 22 being, in thisembodiment of the invention, a matter of accident or chance.

Below the orifices 24 in the tube 22 but near them is a transversedividing wall 21. In the tube 22 is a spring 28 the top of which pressesagainst the bottom of the wall 2?, and the bottom of which reactsagainst the bottom piece l2. Thus the tube 22 is at all times urgedupwardly into the position shown in Figure 1, being prevented fromrising further by the stop consistin of the annular part 2| of thecylindrical member 28. In this position of the parts, it will beremembered, none of the orifices 23 or 24 are in register with thecorresponding orifices 25 and 25 of the tube l8. However, the tube 22may be pressed downwardly against the pressure of the spring 28, andunder such conditions the orifices 23 and 25 are in register, and theorifices 2G and 26 are in register.

I provide orifices 29 in the bottom piece l2 within the area defined bythe tube 22 thus providing free access of air into the inside of thetubes l8 and 22. Above the wall .21 and in the tube 22 I place acatalytic disc 35] the top of which is approximately on a. level withthe bottom of the orifices 24. A cigarette A may be inserted in thecylindrical member 253, the annular part 2! having a diameter suificientto receive the ordinary cigarette, and by pressing down on the cigaretteagainst the catalytic disc 33 the tube 22 may be forced downwardly tothe position shown in Figure 2, bringing the several orifices of the twotubes into register as already described. Under these conditions if thesmoker draws in on the cigarette A, air will enter the orifices 29, andpass through the orifices 23 and 25 into the fuel saturated cotton inthe receptacle E; the air takes on a load of vapor and the resultantvapor passes through the registering orifices 26 and 24 over thecatalytic disc 30 and so into the cigarette. Additional air to mix withthe concentrated vapor is drawn into the interior of the member 23through holes Zia.

I have so proportioned the parts, particularly the tubes I8 and 22 withrespect to the size of an ordinary cigarette and also the annular part2|, that the cigarette A does not make a tight fit with the tube 22, andI also prefer to form. an annular ridge 3! on the disc 30 so that theend of the cigarette will be maintained a slight distance away from alarge area of the catalytic disc. Referring now to the enlarged View ofFigure 4, it will be seen that the vapor goes into the cigarette aftercontacting a large area of the disc, and that the end of the cigaretteis very close to a large area of the disc which receives the draft ofvapor, and is actually in direct contact with the catalytic disc at somepart of the ridge 3|. The catalytic disc may be of any compositionsuitable for the purpose, such as. platinum black or sponge platinum,and I prefer to use a catalytic agent such as of the type indicated heldtogether by a suitable type of ceramic or the like. When such acatalytic disc receives a charge of vaporized hydro-carbon it glows verycatalyst.

hole in the top piece ll.

brightly and the cigarette A will be ignited as there is some oxygenpresent drawn through the orifices 29. It will be observed that I haveso arranged the parts that consistent with introducing vapor to thecatalytic disc I have as close a contact between the cigarette A andthat surface of the catalytic disc 30 which receives the vapor, aspossible. In that manner the minimum of heat is lost and a highlyeffective cigarette lighter results. The ridge 3| constitutes a raisedportion to the disc which tends to heat up more rapidly than the mainbody of the I have found that it is highly desirable to have the fuelcontact the top of the disc first. It will be: noted that the holes orpassages 2 la. limit the amount of oxygen to be mixed with the fuel andthus the most efficient mixture may be secured.

It is desirable to keep the catalytic disc 30 covered when not in useand. also to supplement the sealing of the fuel in the receptacle I 0due to the non-registry of the orifices 24 and 26 by additional sealingmeans. Such additional sealing means may take the form of a snuffer capand it is further desirable to be able to lift the snuifer cap asquickly and as easily as possible, and that all these parts be locatedon the top of the lighter and as compact as possible. Referring toFigures 1 and 2, I provide a closure cap- 32 which may be of the shapeillustrated and whose downward periphery engages with a seat 33 formedon the upper part of the cylindrical member 23. I provide pivotalmounted arm 34 which may be made out of sheet metal and include a pairof downwardly extending ears 35 received between upwardly extendingposts 36 secured to the top H of the lighter. A pin or shaft 3?(desirably in the form of a screw) extends between the posts 38 andthrough the cars 35 thus mounting the arm 34 for pivotal movement. Inthe receptacle [0 I place a tube 38 having a flange 39 at the top and aclosed bottom 49. This tube is secured to and extends through a Slidablymounted in the tube 38 is a tube 4|, and a spring 42 is received in bothtubes and presses against the closed bottom 40 and also against theunder side of a finger piece or head 43 which closes the top of the tube4|. A fiat piece of metal 44 has a hole in it the size of the tube 4|and is secured to the tube and to the under side of the head 43 and hasa bent-over part 45 which receives laterally projecting pins 46 securedto the inside of the ears 35 and located on the arm 34 on the other sideof the pin 31 from the closure cap 32. Downward pressure on the fingerpiece comprising the tube 4| and head 43 with a finger or thumb of theuser raises the cap 32 to the position shown in Figure 2, and wheneverthe finger piece 43 is released, the cap 32 automatically closes againstthe seat 33 being retained in firm seating engagement by the pressure ofthe spring 42.

It will be seen that the catalytic disc 30 is, when not in use, isolatedfrom the fuel supply and also sealed from drafts of air. I have foundthat these features materially heighten the effectiveness of thelighter, prevent sweating of the disc, and result in a much hottercatalytic disc when the cigarette is pressed against it than wouldotherwise be the case.

Referring now to Figure 5, I show a modification in the provision of analundum dish to hold the catalytic disc. Using the same constructionwall I la.

of tubes l8 and 22 and with the other parts'being, of desired,substantially as already described, I provide an alumina dish 48 formedto receive a catalytic disc 49, which fits in it with a press fit. Thealumina dish 48 likewise fits in the tube 22 with a press fit (as may bethe case in the embodiment of Figures land 2) and the lip of the dishs-extends slightly above the topsurf'ace of the disc 39 so as to allowvapor to strike a wide surface of the disc. By the provision of analumina holder for the catalytic agent very good heat insulation isachieved which increases the efiici-ency of the lighter.

In order to keep cotton from working between the tubes 3 and 22 or intothe orifices 24 and 26,

I- provide webs 505!l extending between the side walls of the casing iand secured to the bottom of the top piece H and'also to the outer tube18, having orifices 5| which admit air and "vapor into a chamber 52which is in communication with the orifices 26. This serves not only tokeep cotton away from the orifices 26 but also provides a space foreff-ectivemixing of fuel vapor and air. With respect'to the orifices 25and 23, it is noted that the air suction being from the tubes into thecotton there is not such danger of having the cotton drawn into thetubes.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, a modification of the invention isdisclosed in which the receptacle Illa, of the shape shown in Figures 6and 8, receives a wide cylindrical member ti which is attached to anddepends from the top wall Ila, there being a lip 52 on the cylindricalmember 6| to facilitate its connection to the top The member 6| has-aninwardly ex tending annular ledge 63 at the bottom thereof, which seatsand supports an inside cylindrical member 64. The bottom of the member64 is open to the inside of the fuel receptacle Ilia, and a plurality ofholes Gilead the vapors from the fuel receptacle into a passage 66between the outside wall and the cylindrical member 64 and a slidablesleeve 61.

The sleeve 6'! fits between the cylindrical members 6! and 65, therebeing a shoulder 68 on the outside of the cylindrical member 64constituting the division between two diameters thereof in order toprovide the passage 66.

This embodiment of the invention includes the finger piece 43, snufferarm 34 and closure cap 32 and associated parts substantially as alreadydescribed, and the spring 42, when the lighter is not being used, holdsthe sleeve 5? in the downward position of Figure 6 against the 1pressure of a spring 69. In this position of the parts an outwardlyextending flange 79 of the sleeve 61, and a washer H affixed to it,closes a series of ports or passages 12 extending downwardly and at asharp angle through the cylindrical member 6| as shown, thus sealing theinside of the receptacle la and preventing the escape of liquid fuel.

The sleeve 61 has also an inwardly extending annular flange 13 which hasan annular ridge 14. When the cap 32 is in closed position, the underside of the flange 13 seats against a washer 15 on the top of thecylindrical member 64 and thus seals the passage 66 from a chamber 16constituting the inside of the cap 32 and having in it a catalyticmember ll received in a metal cup T8 which rests on an invertedcup-shaped member 79 that fits in the inside of the cylinder 64 with apress fit. The lip of the cap 32 engages the side of the ridge #4 andalso the top of the sleeve 61, and therefore when the lighter is not inuse the catalytic member 11 is isolated not only from the vapors of thefuel receptacle but also from moisture in the atmosphere, dust, dirt andthe like. I have found that these catalytic discs have a tendency toabsorb moisture, and when they have done so they will not operate untildried out. A much greater efficiency of the lighter is insured bysealing the disc from the atmosphere aswell as from fuel vapors at alltimes when not in'use.

It will be seen that the catalytic disc ll and its retaining cup 18 issupported not only by the inverted cup '19 but also by an upwardlyextending sleeve portion 80 of the cylindrical member 64. I havementioned that the inverted cup 19 is press fitted in the cylindricalmember 64, but wish to note that a vapor tight joint is preferably madeand for this purpose any suitable sealing compound or gasket may beemployed;

The lighter is operated as in the embodiment already described, for whenthe finger piece 3 and plunger 4! are depressed the cap 32 is raised,and the spring 69 then forces upwardly the sleeve 61. By this action theports 12 are uncovered, and the passage 66 is opened up so that the fuelvapors can reach the top but not the bottom of the catalytic disc 11. Atthe same time ports 8| in the sleeve 61, which were ineffective when theparts were in the position shown in Figure 6, are

open-ed up to the atmosphere, allowing a measured amount of oxygen to bedrawn into the now formed chamber 82 which is a continuation of thepassage 66.

The cigarette A as shown in Figure 7, fits fairly closely to theinternal wall of the flange 13 and ridge M, and comparing Figures 7 and8 rests upon a set of ridges both radial and peripheral 83 formed on thetop of the disc 16. As shown in Figure 8, these ridges 83 areapproximately in the form of a cross potent, and as already noted theheat created in the main body of the catalyst by contact of the gases ofthe top surface thereof has a tendency to concentrate in the ridgesproducing a higher temperature there. Whether this action is one of heatconduction or whether the combustion is greatest in the ridges I am notprepared to state but I find that a hotter contact point can be producedby forming the catalyst as shown in these figures. At the same time itwill be noted that the cross potent ignites the cigarette on theperiphery thereof and also across the same, and the remaining areaquickly ignites from the lighted area and thus a good light and an evenburning cigarette is assured. The receiver constituting the ridge l4 andthe walls thereof has the effect of locating the cigarette at the mosteffiient point on the catalytic disc 11.

Referring now to Figure 9, I may if I desire raise and lower the sleeve61 by a screw or cam action. As indicated in Figure 9 I place a conpleof pins 85 in the cylindrical member 6| projecting into a slanting slot86 in the sleeve 61, so that turning of the sleeve 61 raises and lowersit.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention alighter in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, togetherwith many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a lighter, in combination, a fuel receptacle having an elongatedtop wall, a finger piece mounted for downward movement on said top wall,a closure cap, an arm for said closure cap, a pivotal mounting on saidtop wall and between said finger piece and said closure cap, springmeans mounted to urge said cap downwardly and said finger pieceupwardly, a cylindrical member having a seat mounted on said top wallwith a seat under the closure cap, a tube extending into said receptaclewith its upper end received in said cylindrical member, an inwardlyextending lip formed on said cylindrical member, a second tube slidablymounted in said first tube, there being orifices in said tubes near thetop thereof, and there being orifices in said tubes near the bottomthereof, a spring urging said second tube upwardly in said first tube inwhich position of parts the several orifices are out of register, theorifices being so located that when the second tube is depressed theseveral sets of orifices are in register, there being an orifice in thebottom of the lighter admitting air to the two tubes, a transverse wallblocking the second tube between the several sets of orifices, and acatalytic disc in the second tube, whereby when the second tube isdepressed air may be drawn through the orifice in the bottom of thelighter through the lower registering orifices then through the insideof the fuel receptacle then into the tubes through the upper orificesand over the disc.

2. A lighter as claimed in claim 1, the combination with the parts andfeatures therein specified of a marginal annular ridge on said catalyticdisc.

3. In a lighter, in combination, a disc including catalytic material, amounting for said disc, a fuel receptacle, a marginal annular ridge onone side of said disc, and passages admitting vaporized fuel from thefuel receptacle to that side of the disc having the ridge.

4. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle, a tube in said fuel receptacle fixedin relation to the walls thereof, an inner tube in the first named tubeand slidably mounted therein, there being an orifice to admitatmospheric air into the inner tube and there being orifices in eachtube near the bottom thereof adapted to admit air from the inside of theinner tube into the fuel receptacle, and there being orifices near thetop of each of the tubes adapted to admit air and vaporized fuel fromthe fuel receptacle into the inside of the inner tube, a catalytic discin the upper part of said tubes, and means resiliently urging the innertube into such a position as to move the orifices out of register butpermitting them to be moved back into register to allow vaporized fueland air to be drawn from the receptacle onto said disc,

5. In a lighter, a pair of tubes one inside the other, there beingorifices in the inner tube, a

catalytic disc in the inner tube located just under said orifices, meansurging the inner tube upwardly with respect to the outer tube, and therebeing orifices in the outer tube adapted to be brought into registerwith those in the inner tube when the inner tube is moved downwardly,and means admitting vaporized fuel to the orifices.

6. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle, a catalytic disc, a mounting forsaid catalytic disc permitting a cigarette to be placed on top thereof,mechanism opening a passage to the top of said disc from said fuelreceptacle when said disc is depressed by a cigarette, and resilientmeans to urge said disc upwardly.

'7. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle, a cigarette receiving member on thetop of said receptacle, a closure cap for said receiving member,downwardly movable finger piece means to raise said closure cap, acatalytic disc within said cigarette receiving member normally isolatedfrom the fuel, and an'arrangement whereby said disc may be depressedadmitting vaporized fuel to said catalytic disc from said receptaclethereby.

8. In a lighter, in combination, a pair of tubes one inside the other, acylindrical member formed to receive a cigarette attached to the outertube and having a lip overlying the inner tube, a transverse wall in theinner tube, orifices in the inner tube just above the transverse Wall, aspring in the inner tube forcing it upwardly in the outer tube, orificesin the outer tube which when the inner tube is depressed register withthe orifices in the inner tube, a catalytic disc between the orifices ofthe inner tube and the transverse wall, and means containing a supply offuel in communication with the orifices in the outer tube.

9. In a lighter, in combination, a catalytic disc, a cigarette receivingmember above said catalytic disc, means urging said disc upwardly, afuel receptacle, and means arranged to connect the up per part of saiddisc with said fuel receptacle for the admission of vapor to the upperpart of said disc and adapted to be operated by a cigarette pressingsaid disc downwardly.

10. In a lighter as claimed in claim 9, the combination with the partsand features therein specified of a closure cap for the cigarettereceiving member.

11. In a lighter as claimed in claim 9, the combination with the partsand features therein specified of a closure cap for said cigarettereceiving member, a finger piece to raise said closure cap, and springmeans urging said closure cap into closing position.

12. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle, an impervious dish-shaped metalcontainer above said receptacle, a catalytic disc located in saidcontainer and in proximity to said receptacle, means to admit vaporizedfuel to the top only of said disc, and means to admit air to the toponly of said disc.

13. In a lighter, a metal dish, a catalytic disc in said dish, and aridge in the form of a cross on the top of said disc.

ALFRED F. REILLY.

